Cerebral Hemodynamics and Regional Oxygen Metabolism during Ductus Arteriosus Ligation in Preterm Infants

Neurodevelopmental impairment is a growing concern for preterm infants who received surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). We aimed to explore the cerebral hemodynamics during the critical period of PDA ligation.

Very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm infants who underwent PDA ligation were prospectively enrolled. Patients were monitored preoperatively and until 72 h post-ligation. Middle cerebral artery (MCA) flow, regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rcSO2), and cardiac output were measured through Doppler ultrasound, near-infrared spectroscopy, and electrical cardiometry, respectively. Using rcSO2 <55% indicating cerebral hypoxia, the duration (% of time) and burden (cumulative negative quantity of rsSO2 <55% × the period [minutes]) were estimated. An abnormal MCA was defined as an MCA flow of <10th percentile of flow velocity or >90th percentile of pulsatility or resistance index. Poor outcomes were defined as in-hospital death or neurologic disorders, either neuroimaging or functional abnormalities, upon discharge.

Thirty-two VLBW infants were examined, and 15 (46.9%) had poor outcomes. Infants with poor outcomes had significantly longer duration of cerebral hypoxia (5.4 [2.2-32.3] vs. 1.8 [0.4-5.6] %, p = 0.033) and worse hypoxic burden (2,118 [684-13,549] vs. 622 [88-1,669] %minutes, p = 0.027). In a linear mixed model, rcSO2 was positively correlated with arterial saturation (β 0.860, 95% CI: 0.649-1.070) and negatively correlated with abnormal MCA flow (β -5.287, 95% CI: -8.238 to -2.335).

Longer duration of cerebral hypoxia and worse hypoxic burden post-ligation was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality or neurologic disorders upon discharge in VLBW preterm infants.